Wind power Archives - Voice For Liberty

Energy subsidies for electricity production

04

Mar

Energy subsidies for electricity production

To compare federal subsidies for the production of electricity, we must consider subsidy values in proportion to the amount of electricity generated, because the magnitude is vastly different. When comparing federal subsidies for the production of electricity, it's important to look at the subsidy values in proportion to the amount of electricity generated. That's because the scales vary widely. For example, in 2010 for the United States, as can be seen in the accompanying table, coal accounted for the production of 1,851 billion kWh (or megawatt hours) of electricity production. That's 44.9 percent of all electricity produced. Solar power accounted…

Energy subsidies for electricity production, in proportion

09

Mar

By Bob Weeks

Energy subsidies for electricity production, in proportion

To compare federal subsidies for the production of electricity, we must consider subsidy values in proportion to the amount of electricity generated, because the magnitude is vastly different. When comparing federal subsidies for the production of electricity, it's important to look at the subsidy values in proportion to the amount of electricity generated. That's because the scales vary widely. For example, in 2010 for the United States, as can be seen in the accompanying table, coal accounted for the production of 1,851 billion kWh (or megawatt hours) of electricity production. That's 44.9 percent of all electricity produced. Solar power accounted…

05

Jun

By Bob Weeks

Misguided faith

A big "thank you" to Mike Smith for his rebuttal to an op-ed printed in today's Wichita Eagle. In the commentary, which was signed by more than 60 members of the clergy from across the state, the writer states: "As people of faith, we believe it is our moral responsibility to care for all that has been entrusted to us." I think the moral responsibility of people of faith is to refrain from telling lies. And while we're at it, people of faith should stop using the coercive power of government to force others to conform to their prescriptions for…

Kansas City Star’s dishonest portrayal of renewable energy mandate

02

Jun

By Bob Weeks

Kansas City Star’s dishonest portrayal of renewable energy mandate

Commentary from Kansas Policy Institute. Kansas City Star's dishonest portrayal of renewable energy mandate By Dave Trabert A recent Kansas City Star editorial criticizing opponents of Kansas’ renewal energy mandate for being disingenuous was itself a fine example of disingenuity. Kansas law mandates that utility companies purchase specific levels of renewable energy, which means that Kansans are forced to purchase wind energy and pay higher energy prices. The degree to which it is more expensive is a matter of dispute, but even the Star admits that wind is more expensive than fossil fuel alternatives. The Star describes this mandate as…

01

May

By Bob Weeks

End the wind production tax credit

U.S. Representative Mike Pompeo, a Republican who represents the Kansas fourth district, and U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander in 2012 contributed the following article on the harm of the wind power production tax credit (PTC). The NorthBridge Group report referenced in the article is available at Negative electricity prices and the production tax credit. While the PTC is a federal issue, the Kansas Legislature could do taxpayers in Kansas and across the country a favor by ending the mandate to produce more of this taxpayer-subsidized power. Puff, the Magic Drag on the Economy Time to let the pernicious production tax credit…

Renewables portfolio standard bad for Kansas economy, people

01

May

By Bob Weeks

Renewables portfolio standard bad for Kansas economy, people

A law that forces Kansans to buy expensive electricity is not good for the state and its people. A report submitted to the Kansas House Standing Committee on Energy and Environment in 2013 claims the Kansas economy benefits from the state's Renewables Portfolio Standard, but an economist presented testimony rebutting the key points in the report. RPS is a law that requires the state's electricity utilities to generate or purchase a certain portion of their electricity from renewable sources, which in Kansas is almost all wind. An argument in favor of wind energy requirementy from the Polsinelli Shugart law firm…

WichitaLiberty.TV: Schools and the nature of competition and cooperation, Wind power and taxes

11

Apr

By Bob Weeks

WichitaLiberty.TV: Schools and the nature of competition and cooperation, Wind power and taxes

In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: A Kansas newspaper editorial is terribly confused about schools and the nature of competition in markets. Then, we already knew that the wind power industry in Kansas enjoys tax credits and mandates. Now we learn that the industry largely escapes paying property taxes. Episode 38, broadcast April 6, 2014. View below, or click here to view at YouTube.

Rural Kansans’ billion-dollar subsidy of wind farms

25

Mar

By Guest Author

Rural Kansans’ billion-dollar subsidy of wind farms

From Kansas Policy Institute. Rural Kansans’ Billion-Dollar Subsidy of Wind Farms By Dave Trabert No, I'm not talking about any federal tax subsidies or mandates to buy high-cost wind energy that have forced higher taxes and electricity prices on every citizen. This billion-dollar gift comes in the form of local property tax exemptions. In some ways, this handout is even more insidious because the cost is borne by a relatively small number of Kansas homeowners and employers in the rural counties where wind farms exist. Under current law, renewable energy producers enjoy a lifetime exemption from property taxes in Kansas. I…

WichitaLiberty.TV: For whose benefit are elections, school employment, wind power, unions, unemployment

22

Mar

By Bob Weeks

WichitaLiberty.TV: For whose benefit are elections, school employment, wind power, unions, unemployment

In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: The controversy over the timing of city and school board elections provides an insight into government. Then: Can a candidate for governor’s claims about Kansas school employment be believed? Wind power is expensive electricity, very expensive. A Wichita auto dealer pushes back against union protests. Finally, what is the real rate of unemployment in America? Episode 36, broadcast March 23, 2014. View below, or click here to view at YouTube.

19

Mar

By Bob Weeks

Are you worried about global warming?

To the extent that global temperatures are rising, and the extent that mankind is the cause, we should be concerned about global warming. Climate change I meant to say, please excuse me. It's no wonder that the term global warming has been replaced by climate change. As the following two charts show, the models that are in common use by climate scientists have predicted rising temperatures, but actual observations of temperatures have not conformed to predictions. Temperatures have been level in recent years. Here's a simplified chart of the temperatures predicted by climate scientists compared to actual temperatures. A more…